How to Perform a Title Transfer in Oregon

A car title is an important document that proves who owns a vehicle. Whenever a vehicle is bought or sold from an existing owner, that vehicle’s title must also be transferred to the new owner. Most states do not offer an online title transfer option. However, you can obtain online assistance to help you transfer ownership of a vehicle either as a seller or buyer. This will help you be prepared when it comes time to buy or selling a car, allowing you to have the smoothest experience possible. Our online guide will provide you with information on the forms you will need, the required fees and the specific guidelines that your state implements when transferring a vehicle title.

2. By Mail

Some states allow their residents to transfer a vehicle title by mail, but these states may have certain eligibility requirements and limitations involved with this option. If you need to have a title immediately, attempting to transfer a car title by mail may not be the best option for you. You will have to wait for the postal service to deliver your request to the DMV and then wait for the postal service to deliver your new title to you. Payment options are usually limited with mail-in transfers.

3. In Person at the DMV

The most direct way to transfer your vehicle title is in person at a DMV office. There are several states that actually require their residents to transfer their titles in person and do not offer online or mail-in options. Additionally, not all states offer title services through their DMV sites. As such, it is important for you to be prepared and know where you can transfer your vehicle titles. Our online guide offers all the information you need to transfer a vehicle to a new owner.

Vehicle owners must apply for an Oregon car title transfer through the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) division of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) when a vehicle ownership is passed from one owner to another. Note that the title transfer requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the nature of the ownership transfer.

Also, when completing title transfers for cars, motorists will be required to apply for a new car registration and license plates at the same time. Learn more about transferring a car title in OR and when and how to fill out transfer of title documents by reading the sections below.

What is a car title transfer in Oregon?

To ensure a successful transfer of car title in Oregon, motorists are encouraged to obtain more information about the state title transfer for cars process. Transferring a vehicle title in OR is a mandatory procedure that is completed when the possession of a certain vehicle is transferred from the owner on record to a new vehicle owner.

Title certificates are official documents issued by the state DMV necessary to complete the transfer, since they can be used to connect the original vehicle owner with the new owner. If you fail to complete the OR car title transfer, you will be unable to register and drive your newly purchased vehicle.

When is a vehicle title transfer required in Oregon?

Finalizing the Oregon transfer of vehicle title is a necessary step when the ownership of a vehicle is transferred as a result of a private sale, donation or inheritance.

Vehicle owners will be required to complete the corresponding title transfers for cars even if they receive a vehicle as a gift from a close family member or another unrelated party.

Note that the OR title transfer for cars must be completed within a certain number of days of the passing of ownership. Failure to complete the vehicle title transfer within this period will lead to certain late titling fees, which will double if you fail to perform a title transfer within a certain number of days of the ownership transfer.

Information and Documents Necessary to Transfer a Title in Oregon

When transferring a car title in Oregon, motorists will be required to meet several requirements, such as submitting certain types of documents and information and paying the applicable DMV costs.

However, the title transfer requirements may vary based on factors like the applicant’s circumstances and the nature of the ownership transfer. When applying for a transfer of vehicle title in OR after a private sale, for instance, car owners will be required to meet the following paperwork requirements:

A completed title application

A properly assigned vehicle title issued by the department containing the seller’s and buyer’s data and signatures

Proof that the vehicle meets the state Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) requirements, if required

Note: In the event of a lost title, the seller will have to apply for a duplicate certificate of title before signing it over to the buyer. If the vehicle is not subject to the DMV odometer requirements, the buyer can apply for a replacement as well.

When finalizing title transfers for cars in OR under certain unique circumstances, auto owners will be required to meet a different set of documentation requirements. For instance, if you are completing the transfer of car title after the death of the owner on record, you will have to submit additional paperwork that varies depending on several factors.

If you are the surviving owner of a jointly owned vehicle, for example, you can transfer the title in your name by submitting proof of death of the deceased co-owner. In the event of probated estates, on the other hand, you will need the corresponding court-issued documents to perform a title transfer.

Steps for Performing a Transfer of Title in Oregon

If you are wondering, “How do you transfer a title on a car in Oregon?” note that you will have to submit the necessary paperwork and fee payment either by mail or in person, since you cannot complete a title transfer online in the state.

If you would like to transfer a vehicle title and obtain your new registration documents immediately, you can utilize the option to apply in person through a local DMV office.

To avoid making an office visit, you can also mail your application to the main DMV office in Salem. Your request for a title transfer for cars in OR will be processed as soon as the division verifies the authenticity of the provided documents. Your new title certificate will be mailed to your address within a few weeks.

Note: Per state law, vehicle sellers are required to inform the state DMV of a car sale within a certain number of days days of the transfer date of the motor vehicle.

Getting a New Car Title Versus Title Transfers in Oregon

The process of getting a new car title in Oregon may differ from the title transfer procedure. Therefore, vehicle owners need to first discover the differences between the two procedures before initiating one.

The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (OR DMV) issues new car title certificates to motorists who purchase new motor vehicles or to new residents who have recently moved to Oregon. The new title for a car is a legal document that serves as proof of ownership of a certain motor vehicle.

Motorists who want to order a new car title are not required to get a new title certificate when transferring the ownership rights to another legal entity. In that case, they will just have to transfer the title of the vehicle to the new owner.

A title transfer process is a mandatory action that motorists need to perform when they want to transfer the ownership rights of a motor vehicle to another legal entity.

A title transfer may be required in situations when selling or purchasing a motor vehicle or when the ownership rights are transferred from or to an immediate family member. Moreover, a title transfer may be performed when inheriting a motor vehicle.

Car Title Transfer Fees in Oregon

Arranging payment for the Oregon car title transfer fees is one of the last steps in the process of transferring an auto title. Note that the total cost of the OR auto title transfer transaction will include both the applicable titling fees and the costs for a new registration, since motorists are required to register their vehicles as well.

Therefore, in addition to paying the standard cost to transfer a car title, you will also have to arrange payment for the car registration and license plate fees, which vary based on factors such as the vehicle type and the car tag type.

If you initiate the OR title transfer for cars a too long after the change in ownership, you will have to pay an additional late fee. The amount of this penalty fee increases if you wait too long to transfer your car title: